As Liverpool Football Club marked a decisive 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, the prevailing sentiment wasn't one of triumph but of solidarity. Anfield echoed with unspoken prayers for the safety of the father of Reds' forward, Luis Diaz, who is feared kidnapped in Colombia.
Gustavo Petro, Colombia's President, communicated that while Diaz's mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was located in Barrancas following a police operation, the search for Diaz's father, Luis Manuel Diaz, continues with unprecedented vigor. The President's announcement was made on the platform X, previously recognized as Twitter. "In a padlock operation in Barrancas, Luis Diaz's mother has been rescued, we continue the search for the father," expressed President Petro.
The rescue mission isn't limited. More than 120 soldiers have teamed up with police forces, employing a combination of roadblocks, unmanned drones, helicopters, and even radar-equipped planes to meticulously search the northern Colombia region, bordering Venezuela.
#ATENCIÓN | Autoridades ofrecen recompensa de $200 millones por información para dar con el paradero de Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez, padre del delantero de la selección Colombia Luis Díaz, secuestrado el sábado en La Guajira
Más en https://t.co/Kb1aG9p8zP pic.twitter.com/rfdBIr3fVj — Noticias Caracol (@NoticiasCaracol) October 29, 2023
Details regarding the alleged abduction remain under wraps. However, local media hint at the parents being accosted by armed motorcyclists at a Barrancas gas station. The Colombian attorney General's office promptly dispatched specialized teams to assess the situation, stating, "A specialist team of prosecutors, CTI officials, and investigators from the police and military have been taking urgent action to locate these individuals."
Francisco Barbosa, the Attorney General, is believed to be liaising directly with Luis Diaz. A scenario has been hinted where Diaz's father might be across the border in Venezuela. If that proves accurate, an intervention from President Petro would be necessary, ensuring that "all the public forces have been deployed" for the rescue.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's esteemed manager, conveyed the team's solidarity, dedicating the recent win "for our brother." Diogo Jota's poignant gesture on the field, lifting Diaz's No. 7 jersey, showcased the unity of the team amidst personal turmoil.
Liverpool FC released a statement voicing their cognizance of the "ongoing situation," asserting Diaz's well-being as their foremost concern. Klopp, reflecting on the unsettling news, shared, "When you're that long in the business, you think you have experienced everything... It's all about Lucho and his family. We all hope and pray everything will be fine."
As the Reds gear up to face Bournemouth in the upcoming League Cup clash on Wednesday, the prevalent emotion remains that of hope - hope that Diaz's father is safely returned and that the young forward finds solace amidst his teammates and fans.
